The freaky warm “winter” weather has followed me from Milan to California, where I am currently sitting under a sunny sky in San Diego, with 82F degrees (27C) outside. I haven’t had the opportunity to wear my wool jacket or scarf I brought with me, but I am not complaining!
Upon my arrival, I bought a camera to replace my funky, older camera that I’ve been having problems with for a few months. The great part is I have a few lenses from my old 35mm that I’m able to use on my new camera.
My good friend lives in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco so we were able to walk everywhere and be right in the middle of things! It made me feel right at home since I’m senza macchina in Milan. I finally made it down to the Ferry Building Marketplace which I’ve heard quite a bit about from food bloggers in the Bay Area like Sam & Pim. It was really busy as it was Saturday morning but I enjoyed my brief look around and picked up some chocolate-covered cocoa nibs from Scharffen Berger. I hadn’t had the opportunity to go to a Scharffen Berger store since we did a paper on them in MBA school and we took the excellent factory tour, so I was overwhelmed at the selection! I hope to head to the Marketplace for a few hours with my mother before our cooking class this Saturday.
I am taking quite a few pictures as I’m trying to get used to the camera and its different features. I’m not sure, but I think my friends got a little tired of the camera’s presence as a few of them responded to my constant “look at the birdie” by flipping their own birdie. I can’t post those pictures, but I found another suitable little birdie. He’s quite a spoiled sea gull, don’t you think?
I’ve mentioned that I’ve gone over to the dark side and I am drinking Italian coffee and having an Italian breakfast or none at all, but I was glad to find out that old habits die hard, and having a large, Mexican breakfast with a cool glass of Horchata on a Saturday morning is something I don’t shy away from.
It seemed perfect.
In a word? Gelosa! ;-) Glad you’re having fun… soak up that sun!
Welcome back to the States! I’m in San Diego, and I completely agree about the Mexican breakfast. It’s hard to beat!
Hey – did you see a group of SF food bloggers sipping champagne at the market last weekend? It’s not an uncommon sight! I am there nearly every week. You got me really curious about the cooking class. I didn’t know the CCA did casual cooking classes, nor can I see details about any on their site? Would love some further info. COntinue to have fun here in CA!
Sam
PS you might like to try breakfast from the Cocina Primavera at the Ferry Building. (A stall on the outside at the back of the market) It’s mexican made with the freshest ingredients. It’s none of those things you think of Mexican, its pricey, small portions, new agey – but usually it is pretty tasty and always so Fresh, made to order.
Sam, I think we still have the catalog (web-version) – I’ll send you an email! I wanted to shoot you an email to see if you’d be around, and with so many people it was hard to distinguish who was who! I’m sure I did see some champagne sippers. :) If you get there before 9.30 Saturday, maybe I can say hi! Thanks for the tip about Cocina Primavera.
Lisa, welcome! I miss a good breakfast burrito. I’m going to smuggle some salsa back home.
Shelley, I’m sure you’ll make us all jealous with your honeymoon coming up!! :) Keep me updated on the weather down there.
I am soooo jealous! Hope you are having a great time. I LOVE San Fran!
Just wanted to stop in and wish you a happy festa della donna!
Cyn
It looks lik a beautiful day! Happy Vacation!
San Fran is one of my favorite cities. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
wow. yeah i’m jealous too! i’m about to go check out flight prices now… :). have fun on your california stay! sounds wonderful! (and stop bragging about that weather–are you KIDDING me? 82?)
Have a wonderful time in my paese….take a long, long look at the Pacific ocean for me….!
Wow…that looks gnammy. Bring some mexican food home!!!!!!!
how could you shy away from THAT? yum
I took my Italian husband to the ferry building right away when we came home for x-mas. YUM, YUM, YUM. Oh, and that mexican food is also making me dang homesick and CRAVING! :-) Enjoy your time out there!
I can’t believe how nice the weather was, and now that I’m back, it looks like it’s continuing! I arrived in a short sleeve shirt and I felt great in Milan. I guess winter is definitely over.
How lovely, this really makes me homesick. I’ll be back in cali in december….